Maldives Map / Geography of Maldives / Map of Maldives - Worldatlas.com Print this map The Maldives, a group of about 1,200 islands, separated into a series of coral atolls, is just north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean . Only 200 of the islands are inhabited. It has a population of 393,988 and celebrates their National Day on July 26th. Many of these tropical atolls and islands are simply gorgeous, with swaying palms, white sandy beaches and deep-blue lagoons; none of the islands rise higher than 7.8 ft. above sea level. These low-lying specs of coral are subject to erosion, and stand at the mercy of any sea level rise. Some were severely damaged during the December 2004 Tsunami . The culture of the Maldives as we know it today, developed and flourished sometime around the 3rd century BC, as a 1,400 year-long Buddhist period cemented a foundational importance in the island's history.

Due to its strategic location, the Maldives aroused the interest of Middle Easterners , and by the 10th century AD trade routes were established and Islam was introduced to the region. Despite being ruled by an independent Islamic sultanate for centuries, the Maldives were taken over by the Dutch in the mid-17th century, and later, were driven out by British forces some years later. As a British protectorate, the Maldives were given military protection, and non-interference in local administration. At the emergence of a proposed constitutional monarchy, conflicts erupted, and the people of the Maldives pushed for independence. The Maldives successfully gained their freedom from the United Kingdom in 1965, and three years later, declared itself an independent republic. In 1978, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected president, and a period of political stability flourished along with an increase in tourism and increased foreign contact. In spite of the booming economy, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's presidency was seen as controversial, and a series of coup attempts throughout the 1980s were attempted.

Additional riots in the capital city of Malè during August 2004 garnered worldwide attention, and prompted the president and his government to pledge much needed democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Prev Page 1/2 Next Page See Also Maldives Map With Location Of All Islands ☰ Maldives Map With Location Of All Islands Detailed information and maps show where is Maldives located on world map. Map of Maldives shows local islands, resorts, airports etc. Maldives is chain of 1190 islands located south-west of Sri Lanka and India in the Indian Ocean. The islands are so tiny that many world maps do not show Maldives. It is an independent country of about 357566 in population. Maldives is a member of the United Nations (UN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Commonwealth and many other international organisations. Major economic activities are tourism, fishing, construction. The economy is mainly based on foreign currency generated through tourism, 99% of household goods are imported from other countries. The local currency is called Rufiyaa but US Dollar is widely accepted throughout the country.

There are two maps below, one shows where is Maldives located in world map and other shows the islands on Maldives map with airports marked by flight symbol. To quickly locate the main international airport scroll down and see mid-section of the Maldives map where there is double flight-symbol. Hulhule' is home to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport or formerly known as Male' International airport. Tourism is most develop in atolls close to this airport. Hulhule' also home to world's business seaplane operation. See Maldives Airport Guide Maldives is an Asian country. The closest countries are Sri Lanka and India. It takes about an hour to fly from Srilanka to Maldives, a little bit more than an hour from Trivendrum of India. Every island is surrounded by water and totally disconnected from other islands. It takes about 5 hours to fly from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. About 8 hours from Guangzhou of China. For further information on Maldives there is an FAQ section at the bottom. Location of Maldives on world map This map also shows all countries of Asia and the location of Maldives in the region. Asia is mainly divided into three regional sectors.

South Asia comprises of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Southeast Asia includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, East Timor, Brunei, and Christmas Island, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam. East Asia consists of China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea. Map of Maldives Now you know where is Maldives and blow is the map of Maldives islands, including all residential islands, resorts , uninhabited islands, airports etc. If you are looking for the location of a specific island it is not easy to spot from 1190 islands. But, if you know the atoll it is easy. Just scroll down till you reach the atoll and then search that particular area. If you are planning your holiday in one of these islands you can check which are the closest islands near your chosen destination and plan trips accordingly. In case you have booked more than 1 resort to stay, you can see check location of the other resort and anticipate what you might see during the journey. Below the map there is a list of atolls. We are adding detailed map of each atoll there.

There are the 1190 islands in the Maldives and this map shows them all. The country is naturally divided into 26 atolls or chain of islands. You can see this very clearly on the map. For administrative purposes the government has divided it into just 20 atolls. Scroll down to Kaafu Atoll to see the international airport at Hulhule'. Kaafu Atoll being the location of main airport it is the busiest tourism zone, other popular atolls include South Ari Atoll, North Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll. None of the atolls are bad, having said popular it simply means there are many resorts around. Tourism has been booming in Noonu Atoll in the last few years, especially in luxury tourism. See the map of shows many islands in close proximity, this could be one of the reasons for attracting both investors and tourists in luxury sector. Island / Atoll Maldives - country population 357566 On the Maldives map atoll names are on both sides in large font size. The dotted white line separates each atoll from the rest of atolls.

Some parts of the map show atolls one by one (from top to bottom), in other places the atolls are located side by side which is often referred as double-chain formation. In rough weather the outer atoll seas are more choppy, but in fine weather it is unnoticeable. Male the capital of Maldives The capital of Maldives is Male' (with apostrophe) which is pronounced as Maaley. On internet it is sometimes spelled as Male (without apostrophe) which is not the right spelling. Below is the map of Male (or Male') Between airport and Male' there are ferries every 10 minutes, this is from 5am till midnight, after that ferry operations are not frequent till next morning.

Distance between Maldives and other countries Distance between Maldives and Sri Lanka from closest point: 717km Distance between Maldives and India from closest point: 430km Distance between Maldives and Seychelles from closest point: 1950km Distance between Maldives and Malaysia from closest point: 2970km Distance between Maldives and Thailand from closest point: 2750km Distance between Maldives and Japan from closest point: 5800km Distance between Maldives and Hong Kong from closest point: 4760km Distance between Maldives and Germany from closest point: 7200km Male' Maldives to Colombo Sri Lanka: 750km Male' Maldives to Trivendrum India: 645km Gan Maldives to Colombo Sri Lanka: 1120km Gan Maldives to Trivendrum India: 1146km Distance between Maldives and Minicoy of India from closest point: 128km Distance between Minicoy and mainland of India from closest point: 378km Distance between Minicoy and other Indian islands from closest point: 200km Where is

 Maldives?

Is it in India? Surprisingly some people tend to think Maldives is a part of another country. It is the Republic of Maldives, which is an independent sovereign country with its territorial waters and land defined, and recognized by international bodies such as United Nations, Commonwealth. Maldives is widely known throughout the world. Maldives have foreign relations with all major countries of the world. Maldives is not in Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, India, Indonesia or any other country. Maldives is in Indian Ocean. The country is headed by a democratically elected president. Judiciary and parliament are independent bodies of the state. Maldives is divided into 20 atolls which are run by local councils, atoll councils or city councils, under the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives. Maldives is not a part of any country, not even attached to protection of any specific country. Like other independent countries the government headed by the President Of Maldives administers the country. The world map shows geographical separation of Maldives from other countries. Atolls at the equator Maldives is one of the many countries located on the equator which divides North Pole and South Pole.

The country is stretched narrowly from north to south of the globe and equator crosses between Fuvahmulah and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the southern parts of the nation. Out of over 1200 islands in the Maldives each has has unique characteristics in terms of geography and people's lifestyle. Fuvahmulah is one of those unique islands which has native fish and a bird which is not found in anywhere else in the Maldives. But, nothing seems to be remarkably different just because of the equator, except that the people speaks a different dialect of local language which most of the other locals dont understand at all. In fact the atolls at the equator such as Addu Atoll, Fuvahmulah, Gaafu Dhaalu and Gaafu Alif Atoll (collectively called Huvadhu Atoll or Huvadhoo Atoll) have a different dialect in each atoll. The dialects are similar, but also different to a significant degree. Geography Maldives is made up of 1190 coral islands dispersed over an area of 90000 square kilometers in India Ocean. The islands are naturally grouped into 26 atolls.

Each island is surrounded by sea, means you will need a boat to visit the island. It is common to find many islands sharing same lagoon, in the same area there are individually isolated islands as well. Most of the islands have its own house reef that protects the beach and some atolls have outer reef that protects the entire atoll. Read more on Maldives geography and geology. It is believed that Maldives is formed atop inactive super volcanoes, each atoll is such a volcano with islands formed on the rim. That could be the reason the islands in each atoll is somewhat circular in shape. History of Maldives Maldives is small but old country, historical evidence shows the Maldives is more than 2500 years old. Through out history Maldives was independent with exception of few foreign invasion that did not last long. The country had a ruler; a king, queen, sultan or president for the past 1000 years and more. In the ancient times people used stars to navigate. Lack of maps and GPS did not prevent people from traveling from island to island, atoll to atoll, and even to overseas. Month long sea journeys, especially to Saudi Arabia, were part of the sea-based life.

Historical records reveal a story of Maldivian emissary went to Rome bearing gifts for Emperor. Read more on Maldives history Islands on the North of Maldives It was recently discovered by Maldives Finest that the islands on the north of Maldives have significantly less rainfall over the year. The northern most atoll is Haa Alif Atoll, followed by Haa Dhaalu. It is very easy to locate the islands and atolls because these are at the very top of the map. Scroll up and see the first atoll. Yes, it is the northern parts of the country. Capital Male' is in the middle and bottom of the map is Southern atolls. To visit Haa Alif Atoll you can fly to Hanimadhoo from Male' International Airport, by domestic flight. If you are seeking islands in the north reachable by seaplane, there are many resorts in Noonu Atoll and Baa Atoll. Seaplane takes about an hour to Noonu Atoll from Male', and Baa Atoll it is approximately 45 minutes and varies depending the exactly island you wish to visit. Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ This section has been moved to a new topic and updated.

Read FAQ of Maldives Map of Atolls Maldives Map | Map of Maldives Carte des Maldives Maldives History The Maldives' earliest known colonizers are believed to be Sri Lankan seafarers sometime during 2000BC. According to Norwegian ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl, the archipelago was a well-known pit stop for ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, the Phoenicians, and the Mesopotamians - who were en route to India and the rest of the surrounding regions in Asia for the trading of goods. During the 3rd century, the Maldives practiced Buddhism, and it became the dominant religion for 1,000 years. In 1153 AD, the Buddhist King of the islands converted to the Islam faith. The conversion brought about violence in the islands with the burning of Buddhist monasteries, monuments, scriptures, and the beheading of monks. The King converted his leadership into a Sultanate, forming the very first of the 6 dynasties that ruled the islands. Marco Polo discovered the islands during one of his many voyages and named it "Flower of the Indies," for its natural beauty. This attracted many Europeans to the region.

In 1558, the Portuguese were the first Westerners to establishment a settlement on the islands but they were later driven out by a local leader in 1573. During the 16th the 17th centuries, the Dutch and the British fought for control but it was the latter who reigned in the late 18th century. The Maldives then became a British protectorate from 1886 to 1965, when the islands gained full independence. The Sultanate was abolished and in 1968, the Maldives' elected its first president. Geography The Maldives is located in South Asia, on the Indian Ocean and situated to the south to southwest of India. It is an archipelago of 1,192 coral islands with 26 atolls over an area of 90,000 sq.km., which makes it one of the most dispersed countries in the world. The atolls consist of live coral reefs and sand bars, and land with an average elevation of 1.5m above sea level - making the archipelago the lowest country on earth. The highest point in the Maldives is only at 2.4 meters.

Out of the islands in the atolls, only about 5 to 10 are inhabited, with about 20-60 uninhabited smaller islands. Polities The Maldives is a unitary presidential constitutional republic with the President acting as head of state and head of government. The President holds the highest position in government, is elected into office by the public, and serves a 5-year term with a limit of 2 consecutive terms. A Vice-President is also elected into office for a 5-year term. Executive power is exercised by the government, which is headed by the President. The Maldives also has its own Local Government, comprised of the Atoll Council that administers each of the 26 atolls. Each inhabited island is governed by an Island Council, whose members are elected into office by the residents of the island that they handle. The Atoll Council members, however, are elected by the Island Council members. Travel Tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives. People from all over the world are attracted to the archipelago's crystal clear lagoons and powder white sandy beaches - which makes for the perfect holiday getaway for romantic couples and families.

The Maldives is also considered to be the world's top destination for honeymooners. Among the most popular islands in the Maldives are the Alimatha Island and the South Ari Atoll. Alimatha Island is on the Vaavu Atoll located in the eastern side of the archipelago, and boasts of world-class diving, snorkeling, and great facilities. It has a center beach that's world renowned, and projects the image of the ultimate Maldives getaway with its bungalows perched on stilts over the waters and its 5-star atmosphere. The South Ari Atoll is home to the most luxurious resort in the Maldives - which is the Sun Island Resort and Spa. The villas and bungalows are located on the beach or the lagoons, and boasts of the best accommodation in the archipelago. Naifaru is also another popular island but mostly for romantic couples - it has crystal blue waters, white silver beaches, and sand mountains. And one of the island's perks is its large selection of shopping offerings.

Among the most popular diving sites in the Maldives are the HP Reef or Rainbow Reef known for its abundant marine life packed with vivid and brightly-colored reefs, and the Banana Reef - which is considered to be the most sought after diving site in the archipelago. Education There are 2 primary education systems in the Maldives - the older system is the tradition Islamic system with Dhivehi as the medium of instruction, and the other system with English as the medium of education. The implementation of the latter system has led to the archipelago's literacy rate increase over the years. Today, the Maldives' adult literacy rate is 98.82%. Formal education starts at primary school but the islands depend largely on expatriate teachers due to its large number of local teachers who have few qualifications. There is a small number of higher education institutions in the Maldives but most of those who proceed to college or university often get their education in foreign countries. Trivia Because the Maldives has strong Islamic beliefs, alcoholic drinks are prohibited outside resorts. As for dressing, two-piece bikinis are also only allowed within hotels and resorts. They also have a strong belief in superstition and the supernatural - which includes white and black magic.

The Maldives is the smallest Muslim country in the world, and the smallest country in Asia. Atoll Maldives - Maldives Tourism Maldives Maldives The Maldives Islands Specks of emerald green enveloped by dazzling turquoise waters like scattered beads in the ocean; white powdery beaches, tall palms lean on towards the sea, crystalline white sands giving way to crystal clear waters, shades of turquoise blend flawlessly with deeper hues of blue; pristine coral reefs and some of the most incredible underwater life on our planet. Rising from the deep blue of the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean are more than a thousand islands and thousands more reefs that form the Maldives. The Maldives Islands comprises of roughly 1190 small coral islands, and covers a total area of 104,00.00 sq. Kilometers. These islands are no more than six feet above sea level and lie 73 degrees East Equator. The islands are grouped into nineteen administrative ‘atolls’, and vary in size and character. Some are sandbanks, while others are tropical islands, with lush vegetation, ringed with coral reefs, turquoise lagoons full of marine life, and white sandy beaches.

Maldives at a Glance Total number of islands: 1,190 Inhabited Islands: 2002 Currency: Rufiyaa (All major currencies, credit cards and travelers cheques accepted) Electricity: 240 AC Visa: 30 days on arrival Language: Dhivehi – English widely spoken Transport: Speedboats, Dhoni and Seaplanes Working Hours Government: 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Private Sector: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Location The Maldives consists of 1190 islands grouped into 26 natural atolls scattered over an area of 90,000 sq. km straddling the equator between, – Degree of latitudes 07° 6’30” North and 00°41’48” South – Degree of longitudes 72° 32’30” and 73° 45’54” East. Maldives Geography The atolls of the Maldives are formed from coral structures.

The atolls are part of a greater structure known as the Laccadives-Chagos Ridge, which stretches over 2000 kilometers. The Maldives islands are low lying with the highest point at approximately eight feet above sea level. Ring-shaped reef structures form the atolls and these reefs provide the natural defense against wind and wave action on these delicate islands. Culture Located at the crossways of the Indian Ocean shipping lanes on the main seaway around the Indian subcontinent, the Maldives has long been a meeting point for African, Arab, Malay and Indonesian mariners. Throughout the centuries these influences have shaped the Maldivian way of life. This can be seen from the many facets of Maldivian lifestyle such as dining, music, art and craft. Music Bodu Beru is the most popular form of music and dance in the country, believed to have been introduced in the early 19th century by African slaves. Historians believe that Thaara, which also holds a special place in local entertainment, have been introduced from the Middle East in the seventeenth century. Other forms of dance such as Bandiya Jehun have a strong South Asian flavor. Today western pop and Indian music is popular with the young and old.

Art & Craft The Maldivians are skilled craftsmen. This can be seen in several of Maldivian arts and craft; the deft coral stone carvings at Hukuru Miskiiy, the intricate lacquer art, the fine mats woven by the women of Fioari in the south and the work of skilled calligraphers whose works old and new that can be viewed in mosques around the country. Maldives Maldives - The Maldives | Maldives Islands | About Maldives Maldives Discover the Maldives About Maldives The Maldives, a tropical paradise of pristine beaches, are an archipelago of 1,192 coral islands grouped into 26 coral atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts) in the Indian Ocean. They lie south-southwest of India and are considered part of Southern Asia. (Source: Wikitravel) Tourism in Maldives Tourism is the largest economic industry in the Maldives. A tourist resort in the Maldives consists of an exclusive hotel on its own island, with its population entirely based on tourists and work force, with no local people or houses.

These islands developed for tourism are approximately 800 by 200 metres in size and are composed of sand and coral to a maximum height of about 2 metres above the sea. In addition to its beach encircling the island, each island has its own "house reef" which serves as a coral garden and natural aquarium for scuba divers and snorkelers. The shallow water enclosed by the house reef also serves as a large natural swimming pool and protects swimmers from the ocean waves and strong tidal currents outside the house reef. (Source: Wikipedia) Hotel in Maldives LUX * South Ari Atoll – our luxury resort in Maldives – is located on one of the biggest islands (Dhidhoofinolhu) with 4 KM of pristine white sandy beaches facing the clear lagoon. Learn more about our resort in Maldives . LUX Maldives) What to do in Maldives The Maldives is renowned for its incredible diving opportunities. The crystal clear water and shallow lagoons are perfect for snorkelling, while the reef walls offer a kaleidoscope of sea life for more experienced divers.

The Maldives have an amazing diversity of sea life, with corals and over 2000 species of fish, ranging from reef fish and reef sharks to moray eels, rays and whale sharks. The island's many sheltered lagoons also provide the perfect destination to enjoy an adventure-filled family holiday or romantic getaway for two. Attractions in Maldives Diving Bluetribe Moofushi, Sun Island beach, Alimatha Island, Manta Point, Banana Reef, Grand Friday Mosque, Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque), HP Reef, National Museum, Veligandu Island beach, Bodu Mora, Hulhumale, Mulee Aage, Utheemu Ganduvaru, Biyadoo Island, Tiny Island Marine Conservation Centre, Kuda Bandos, Muraka Diving Geography of Maldives The Maldives archipelago consists of 1190 tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Only 185 of these islands are inhabited, while the others are used largely for tourism and agriculture.

The atolls are composed of live coral reefs and sand bars perched atop a 960km submarine ridge, while the land features lush tropical vegetation with abundant local coconut palms. With an average ground level of 1.5m above sea level, the Maldives is by far the lowest country on earth and as such has a very fragile ecosystem. The capital and largest city of the Maldives is Male. Climate in Maldives The tropical climate is influenced by monsoons, although bright sunny weather with a light sea breeze can be expected most days. Temperature: 30°C all year round | Sea temperature: 22°C to 28°C Languages in Maldives The locals speak Dhivehi, with English widely spoken in areas frequented by tourists. Culture in Maldives The local culture features a lively mix of South Indian, Sinhalese and Arab influences that is reflected in the traditional music, cuisine and art of the island. Money/Currency in Maldives The monetary unit is the Maldivian Ruffiyaa (MVR), while international credit cards are widely accepted by resorts. Driving in Maldives Most tourists will land in the capital, Male, and will be transferred to their hotel either by seaplane or boat.

These two means of transport are widely used for most trips between islands. Direct Flights to/from Maldives There are frequent direct flights to Male from most international destinations including India, Sri Lanka, Dubai and major airports in South-East Asia, as well as an increasing number of charters from Europe. Indian Ocean cruises to Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius Last Updated: 17 January 2017 13:28:48 Indian Ocean Highlights Chennai Chennai, formerly Madras, is India's fourth-largest city and the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. Worth visiting is the tree-line residential area of Mylapore, where you will find the 7th-century Kapaleeshwarar Hindu temple and its heavily decorated tower. Visitors to Chennai usually travel to the neighbouring town of Mahabalipuram to see its magnificent temples, statues and carvings. Cochin The Keralan city of Cochin is well known for the 20-metre long Chinese fishing nets used at Fort Koch and for St Francis church which is the burial place of Vasco da Gama.

Just outside Cochin and accessible by taxi or rickshaw is Mattancherry Palace, where the upper floor was once used for the coronation of Cochin's Rajas. The building's walls are decorated with murals illustrating scenes from Hindu mythology. Performances of the local Kathakali dance are regularly held in the town's cultural centre. Colombo Colombo is the economic and cultural heart of Sri Lanka, and has been an important trading post for centuries. The port area was settled by Arabs in the 8th century since when many other civilizations have come and gone. The Pettah Market area has some interesting buildings, including the candy-striped Jami-ul Alfar Mosque and the Khan Clock Tower. Many Muslim traders specializing in gold and jewellery sell their wares here. Goa Goa is India's best-known beach resort with 100km of scenic, palm-fringed coastline. Anjuna Beach in Panjim, the capital of Goa, was a hippy destination in the 1960s, and has elegant colonial buildings and mansions. Old Goa was a Portuguese colonial territory for five centuries, and there are many 16th-century churches and older Hindu temples in the region.

South Goa has waterfalls, paddy fields and fruit plantations. Male Male is the principal port of the Maldives, a jumble of skyscrapers, old buildings and markets. Majeedhee Magu is the main road on the island, bordered with shops selling everything from perfume to electronics. The town is surrounded by sea walls and has an artificial beach and a wide variety of restaurants.17th-century Hukuru Mosque is worth a visit for its black coral walls, engraved beams and panels decorated with carved Arabic writings. Mauritius (Mauritius) The port for Mauritius is Port Louis, a multi-cultural city with Hindu, Islamic, Christian, Chinese and Creole districts. The city has many shopping opportunities which range from lively street markets to a large shopping area on the seafront with fashionable boutiques. The Natural History Museum exhibits the only-known skeleton of the extinct dodo, and Fort Adelaide offers splendid views of the city. The island has some of the best beaches in the Indian Ocean and a mountainous landscape. Mayotte The French overseas territory of Mayotte is an archipelago situated between Mozambique on the African continent and Madagascar, and is one of the Comoros island group.

Its white sand beaches attract many French holidaymakers, making this an expensive destination. Sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches in the south, and in the summer, humpback whales are often seen in the lagoon. The majority of Mayotte's shops and restaurants are in Mamoudzou, which is chiefly a business and commercial centre. Mormugao Mormugao is Goa's key port, with an old-world atmosphere and a blend of Portuguese and Indian architecture, used as the backdrop for several Bollywood films. It has golden beaches and the 6th-century Arch of the Viceroys which commemorates Vasco de Gama's arrival in Goa, and the huge St Catherine's Cathedral. Other sights include Mormugao Fort and nearby Varca beach, a stretch of palm-fringed shore with rows of wooden fishing boats and palm-thatched longhouses. Mumbai (India) This is the largest port in Western India, noted for its financial centre and Bollywood, the world's largest film production centre. Mumbai's most famous symbols are the Gateway to India, a grand arch, and the nearby Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. British influences can be seen in the stained glass and sculptures of Victoria Rail Terminus, a World Heritage Site.

Mumbai is a pleasantly chaotic city packed full of bazaars, roadside stalls, traffic and some of India's best restaurants. New Mangalore New Mangalore port is situated in Panambur north of the Gurupura river. Besides the beautiful beach of Tanniru Bhavi, places to visit in Panambur include Nandaneshwara temple. There are many more temples in Mangalore itself, the most famous being Shir Sharavu Mahaganapathy, where devotees gather during religious festivals. Mangalore is considered a scenic city, shaded with coconut palms and crossed by hills and streams. Nosi Be Nosy Be island is Madagascar's chief tourist destination, but remains unspoilt, the air rich with the scent of ylang ylang which grows wild here. There are good outdoor restaurants on the sands and the water is crystal clear. Inland are fields of sugarcane and rum distilleries, and visits may be available to the coastal Lokobe Nature Reserve, home to gigantic trees, many bird species, chameleons and lemurs. Reunion (France Overseas Territories) Reunion is a French island territory east of Madagascar and south of Mauritius.

Its landscape is diverse, with primary forest, serrated peaks, volcanoes and lava fields. The capital of St Denis has a botanical garden, a museum of modern contemporary art with paintings by Picasso and Gauguin and the impressive Notre Dame church. There are two dramatic Pitons ' Le Fournaise and Neiges, which have forested slopes, and two of the island's calderas can be explored on foot. Seychelles (Seychelles) The Seychelles archipelago consists of 115 islands lying north-east of Madagascar. The Inner Islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue are the most visited, with the Seychelles capital and port, Victoria situated on Mahe. Mahe is covered with mountains and dense tropical vegetation, including coconut palms, banana plants, mango and breadfruit trees, and has many white sand beaches suitable for swimming and snorkelling. Port Victoria has a National History Museum and Botanical Gardens with an giant tortoise enclosure. St Denis St Denis is the capital of Reunion Island, a French territory south of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. The island's dramatic and lush scenery is topped with the peaks of two pitons, Le Fournaise and Neiges.

Plants unique to the Seychelles thrive in the tropical forest, where the carnivorous Seychelles Pitcher Plant and the jelly fish tree can be found. In St Denis the museum of modern contemporary art holds paintings by Picasso and Gauguin, and the hillside church of Notre Dame has an unusual statue of St Expedit dressed as a Roman soldier. Tulear Also known as Toliara, Madagascan Tulear is next to a spectacular string of huge sand dunes backed by savannah, and Tulear Reef which stretches north to Morombe. Close by are the idyllic Ifaty Beach and Isalo National Park. The park has deep canyons and sandstone rock pinnacles, with large populations of birds, reptiles and lemur. In Tulea there are brightly-painted pousse-pousse, or rickshaws, a shell market, restaurants, an excellent arboretum and broad avenues. The sacred banyan tree of Miary on the outskirts of Tulear is worth a visit ' a huge specimen with branches spread across many metres.

Visakhapatnam Although mainly an industrial city, Visakhapatnam is a popular resort with good sandy beaches, and is situated on India's east coast among the hills of the Eastern Ghats. There is a Ropeway cable car giving long-distance views of the city, shore and hills, and a museum housed in a de-commissioned submarine. Other attractions include the richly-decorated 11th-century temple of Simhachalam on the Hill of the Lion Lord. . 7 Nights, Fly Cruise from £1495pp Save up to 50%! 7 Nights, Fly Cruise from £1345pp Save up to £1000pp PLUS 250 Euro OBC per cabin! 7 Nights, No Fly Cruise from £589pp Save up to 40%! 7 Nights, Cruise Only from £1545pp Save up to 20% PLUS exclusive savings and £100pp OBC on 2 Apr! 6 Nights, Fly Cruise from £1695pp Exclusive Blue Water Package!

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Included in Conde Nast Traveller’s list of best hotels in the Maldives, voted the‘Indian Ocean's Leading Luxury Resort’ and the ‘Indian Ocean's Leading Villa Resort & Spa’ at the 2014 World Travel Awards, Ayada Maldives is a private island resort offering a truly luxurious retreat with a genuine Maldivian style. Set in the relatively unexplored Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the south of the country – just a few kilometres above the equator – the luxury resort offers 122 spacious villas and suites, all with private pools, butler service and thoughtful five-star detailing. Traditional thatched-roof water-villas stand on stilts over the resort’s peaceful lagoon, while beach villas offer absolute privacy amid tropical greenery alongside powder-soft palm-lined white beaches. Food lovers can explore the six restaurants, while those seeking complete relaxation will find their haven in the large spa which boasts a Turkish Hammam and eight private treatment villas. The resort is noted for its gardens and tropical greenery and is ringed by a pristine coral reef where dolphins are frequent visitors.

The active can explore the area on a host of excursions while at the resort they can play tennis or badminton, take up watersports, learn yoga, Pilates or Zumba or simply hit the 24-hour gym. Outstanding diving and snorkeling opportunities surround the island on reefs that have barely been visited by humans while some of the Maldives’ best surfing breaks are just a quick speedboat journey away. Weddings take place just before sunset in one of the most beautiful private wedding chapels in the Maldives set in a tree-lined garden, or on the beach under a gazebo draped with flowing material.

Question: 'The Maldives' islands are situated in which ocean?
Answer: The Indian Ocean